Vandy dr???

Has anyone had a lap-band with Dr Holzman from Vanderbilt University Hospital?  Could you please tell me about your experience.  I have meet with him once, and was very impressed.  However, I'm the type to like to know all I can.  Everyone I know that has had WLS has had gastric by-pass.  I do not know anyone that has  had the lap.  I like the  fact that there are less risks...as I have small children and want to better my odds of being around a long time    I appreciate anything you can share with me.    (Oh, I am looking to schedule surgery after meeting with Dr Holzman next Tuesday.)

Hey Judy, I am going to the doctor at Vandy. I also live in Kentucky.Are you going to lapband. I hope to have mine done in September. My insurance is requiring me to lose 10% of my wight before surgery. I am on the rapid weight loss diet that the nutritionist at Vandy gave me. I go for my psych evaluation and second appointment with my nutritionist on Friday. Have you had your psych eval yet or do you have to? I'm full of questions. Are you exercising any? email me at [email protected]

Hi, I hope you do well with your surgery!! I was curious as to what the rapid weight loss diet is that you mentioned in your post ? Thanxs!! Zip...

Hello. The weight loss diet they have me on consist of 6 meal replacements a day. That is protein drinks protein shakes, lein cusieine, smart ones, or healty choice meals that contain less than 5 g of sugar and less than 250 calories. It seems to work fairly well if you also exercise with the diet/

Thank you kindly for answering my question. The best of luck to you with your surgery! Take Care, Zip...

Sorry...I didn't reply sooner.  I could not remember where I put this post.  I'm not the best at all this chat room stuff :o)  and that was my first time on ObesityHelp. Now, to answer your questions.  Tomorrow I go to see Dr Holzman again.  I had not lost any weight since beginning the process.  My PCP had sort of discouraged from losing much....afraid insurance would say I could do it on my own....crazy huh.  Anyway, when Dr Holzman saw that and I expressed my concern of wether I should do lap band or gastric.....since everyone I know that has had WLS has had gastric.  He stated that I need to try to loose 10lbs before I come back to meet with him.  If I show (myself....buy I believe him) that I can loose weight.....be in control.....that he would schedule the Lap surgery date.  Otherwise....if I struggled to loose weight, then I should do gastric due to the malabsorption rate you will automatically loose some without trying.....due to absorbing less calories.  I really don't think I want to do that.   After I meet with him 2 weeks ago, I meet with Jennifer Angus (nutritionist) for my 3rd pre-op visit.  I told her I had to lose weight prior to him scheduling surgery.  She suggested the same diet to me.  I have done well on it.  However, my scale broke at home....as luck would have it.....and I don't have any idea how much I have lost.  I have been doing MAJOR house cleaning...decluttering....redecorating....and a little exercise (should have done more....but been busy....excuses, excuses, excuses).  Anyway, Friday morning I got my moms scale and weighed it said 296.4.  This morning I weighed and it said 291.3.  So.....I  know I have lost some and that is only from 3 days ago.  Therefore, I will be very disappointed if he doesn't schedule surgery......I just might wrap myself around his leg until he changes his mind! To answer some of your other questions......I have done everything.....6 month PCP supervised "diet", psychological with Karen Starr at Vandy, 1 lap support group at Vandy, 1 support group online, sleep study, EKG, 3 nutritionist visits with J Angus at Vandy as well.  As of Feb 20th, I was finished with all obligations but SOMEONE lost my file.  For months.......I kept trying to call, email, leave voice messages to find out what the status was.  I fully anticipated being denied.   When I finally did reach someone she stated my file was not complete......that they didn't have the EKG.  I was furious.  The EKG  was done in November!!!! and they had a copy of it that I had delivered when I brought a copy of PCP notes, etc.  I faxed another copy.  She quickly filed and within 4 days I was approved.  Then I called to schedule the dr appointment.  (Since being in the program I had been told  that I would have 3 different doctors.....first Holzman, then Richards, then someother name.....that was frustrating but I assumed they all were competent.....so "whatever...just get on with it."  Anyway, when I talked to Dr Holzman's secretary she stated that she was scheduling appointments for mid July.  I about lost it.  (Let me back up and say I am a teacher.  So....I have been planning this since last summer.  Wanted to be through all the requirements early in case I was denied that would give time to fight  prior to school starting back.)  The end of July for the first  meeting with Holzman was NOT ok.  I told Brandy my story of being "lost" in the shuffle and my timeline.  She was wonderful and worked me in two weeks ago.  Then when I meet with Dr Holzman, I told him about the process.....he assured me that he would put me on the "fast track" to schedule surgery.  I am not exactly sure what that meant.....but he assured me not to worry.....if I did indeep have the lap. Gosh, I feel like I have just gave you an ear full :o)  In case you can't tell.....I'm a talker!!!  Keep  me posted on your status and I will keep you posted on my meeting tomorrow and hopefully surgery date!   

Hey Judy I hope you get this before you leave for Nashville. They have moved the doctors office to 8180 East building North Tower. That is across from the hospital. They told me the best way to do this is to go to central lparking by way of Dixie place and do the valet parking (its free). The building where you park is East building then make sure you get on the north tower elevator and its easy from there. I walked from the other building to this one on Friday. (One way to get some exercise)/ Good Luck  Anita